Three-dimensional powder bed fusion additive manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

A three-dimensional powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (PBF-AM) apparatus includes a movement mechanism, a stage, a plurality of support columns, a base plate, and a shielding member. The base plate is supported by the plurality of support columns, and a powder material for forming a product is laminated on the base plate. The shielding member surrounds the plurality of support columns between the stage and the base plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A three-dimensional powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (PBF-AM) apparatus comprising:
 a movement mechanism; 
 a stage that is movably supported by the movement mechanism; 
 a build box with a cylinder hole in which the stage is arranged so as to be slidable; 
 a plurality of support columns that are arranged on the stage; 
 a base plate supported by the plurality of support columns, on which a powder material for forming a product is laminated; and 
 a shielding member that surrounds the plurality of support columns between the stage and the base plate, and that forms a first space between the stage and the base plate, 
 wherein a second space between the shielding member and an inner wall surface of the cylinder hole of the build box is filled with the powder material, and 
 wherein the powder material is blocked by the shielding member, and the powder material is not present in the first space. 
 
     
     
       2. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a support groove is formed in a bottom surface of the base plate, the bottom surface being opposite to one surface on which the powder material is laminated, and 
 a support that makes point contact or line contact with the support groove is arranged on each of the plurality of support columns. 
 
     
     
       3. A three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus comprising:
 a movement mechanism; 
 a stage that is movably supported by the movement mechanism; 
 a build box with a cylinder hole in which the stage is arranged so as to be slidable; 
 a plurality of support columns that are arranged on the stage; 
 a base plate supported by the plurality of support columns, on which a powder material for forming a product is laminated; and 
 a shielding member that surrounds the plurality of support columns is arranged between the stage and the base plate, and that forms a first space between the stage and the base plate, wherein 
 a support groove is formed in a bottom surface of the base plate, the bottom surface being opposite to one surface on which the powder material is laminated, 
 a support that makes point contact or line contact with the support groove is arranged on each of the plurality of support columns, 
 a second space between the shielding member and an inner wall surface of the cylinder hole of the build box is filled with the powder material, and 
 the powder material is blocked by the shielding member, and the powder material is not present in the first space. 
 
     
     
       4. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the support is formed in a spherical shape. 
 
     
     
       5. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the support is formed in a spherical shape. 
 
     
     
       6. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the support groove extends radially from a center that corresponds to a center of gravity of the base plate. 
 
     
     
       7. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the support groove extends radially from a center that corresponds to a center of gravity of the base plate. 
 
     
     
       8. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the support groove has two inclined surface portions that make point contact with the support. 
 
     
     
       9. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the support groove has two inclined surface portions that make point contact with the support. 
 
     
     
       10. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the support and each of the plurality of support columns are formed of a metal member, and ground the base plate. 
 
     
     
       11. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the support and each of the plurality of support columns are formed of a metal member, and ground the base plate. 
 
     
     
       12. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 three support columns are arranged. 
 
     
     
       13. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 three support columns are arranged. 
 
     
     
       14. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a heat shield plate that reflects radiant heat from the base plate back to the base plate is arranged between the base plate and the stage. 
 
     
     
       15. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 a heat shield plate that reflects radiant heat from the base plate back to the base plate is arranged between the base plate and the stage. 
 
     
     
       16. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the shielding member includes
 a shielding portion that surrounds the plurality of support columns, and 
 a bottom surface portion that projects outward from a lower end portion of the shielding portion, and 
 the bottom surface portion is mounted on the stage. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The three-dimensional PBF-AM apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the shielding member includes
 a shielding portion that surrounds the plurality of support columns, and 
 a bottom surface portion that projects outward from a lower end portion of the shielding portion, and 
 the bottom surface portion is mounted on the stage.